Another 2 cents on pitch

[Robin Hufford]

David,
     I was informed, while at the factory in 1987 and by a person whose
judgement I wholly trusted in this, that the pitch used at Steinway at the
turn of the century was at two levels.  "Hard" pitch and "soft" pitch.
Soft pitch was A-440, hard was A-457.  This person had seen the forks that
had been in use at this time.  I was not informed, and did not think to
ask, whether this was restricted in application to grands or, whether, it
applied to both grands and verticals.  I had the impression that these two
levels of pitch  were applied to a piano without any alterations of
scaling.
Regards, Robin Hufford

David Renaud wrote:

> What was Steinways pitch in 1901?
>
>  I ask as I have a 1901 A2. The tonal difference
> between a little flat and A440 is very significant
> in the top end. I'm wondering if these things really
> were indended to be higher pitched, insomuch as they
> were built, judged at a higher pitch(?), and
> designed, manufactured with this end product in mind.
>
>                    Dave Renaud
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
> File your taxes online! http://taxes.yahoo.ca